Apparatus for preparing map data with regional properties

Abstract

The line-data generating unit of this apparatus automatically reads a map image through an image scanner, generates a digital-image signal in a pattern-recognition module, prepares line data in a line-data image processing unit, and stores the line data in RAM (I). A data converter retrieves the line data from the line-data generating unit, prepares plane data, and issues the plane data to a property-data preparation unit. Through a closed-area-data image processing unit, the property-information preparation unit, based on instructions input from a keyboard, interpolates points of discontinuity in the plane data; assigns properties corresponding to such points, and prints the output. RAM (II) stores completed data. The interpolation of points of discontinuity in the plane data is performed jointly and simultaneously by input terminals PCi (i=1, 2, . . . , n). Using this method, accurate plane data can be easily and rapidly prepared by reading an original topographical map or the like so that vector line-data is transformed into plane data whose points of discontinuity have been corrected-thus making the plane data completed and accurate.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for preparing map data from an original map image, said apparatus comprising: a line generating unit including input means for automatically reading the original map image and line-data output means for issuing two-dimensional vector line-data from aster obtained by automatically reading said original map image;   a data converting unit including plane-data output means for generating and issuing plane data on the basis of said vector line-data issued from said line-data output means;   closed area image data generating means for generating connective line data for connecting points of discontinuity in said line data that forms plane data to other point or line data for making closed areas; and,   a map data preparing unit for storing said closed areas as map data, and displaying and printing the map data as a new map image reformed from the original map image.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus for preparing man data, as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said closed-area image data generating means includes a number of closed-area data output means for completing said plane data as closed-area data by generating said corrective line data, said corrective line-data connecting said points of discontinuity in said vector line data forming said plane data to other point or line data; and,   said plane-data output means generates and issues plane data on the basis of said vector line-data issued from said line-data output means by dividing said plane data into a plurality of pieces of plane data, allotting predetermined display data to discontinuous point data for the line data that forms each of said pieces of plane data, and issuing said pieces of plane data to each of said closed-area-data output means; and issues closed-area data to said map data preparing unit.